Spiritual amnesia: Remember to count your blessings

(Numbers 13:25-33)

BY REV CANON DR JOHN SENYONYI VICE CHANCELLOR

Amnesia is the state of forgetfulness or blankness of the mind, when memory recall fails. As people grow old, their memory strength slackens – at some point doctors call it dementia. Sometimes I go through the torture of remembering a person’s name. Unfortunately, Ugandans have not learned the helpful habit of saying, “Hello, my name is …”!

But there is another form of amnesia that torments all generations. It is the blankness of our good times when facing the bad times!

Mark Twain said, “Do not complain and talk about all your problems – 80 percent of the people don’t care; the other 20 percent will think you deserve them.” When you are at school, you complain about the teachers or lecturers or administrators. You are not happy about their examinations, their coursework and their rules.

When you graduate, you find problems with getting a job and make it clear that the world is treating you unfairly. Recently, some young people have taken their grumbling to the pigsty, taking piglets to Parliament! The moment you get married, your spouse becomes ‘responsible’ for all the wrong in your home and marriage. The divorce rate is rising, and all divorce hearings are about how we have been wronged. That is why Jesus said the only reason for divorce is “your hardness of heart.” Do we ever give thanks? Even the blessings from God are cause for complaints.

We complain about school, jobs, family, property, name it. Ingratitude is a cherished hobby for many. They grumble when they have nothing and when they have plenty. One Sunday my wife and I were going for ministry. A couple asked to go with us. When they entered our car they polluted our conversation with one complaint after another, up to our destination about an hour later! They complained about everything and everyone! It was good to know they were not coming back with us!

Unfortunately, grumbling is infectious. It follows the biblical rule, “Bad company spoils good morals.” The background to Numbers 13.25-33 is that God had promised to give Israel land they would call their own, a home away from slavery. He demonstrated his power to do it even before they departed Egypt. He parted the Red Sea and they walked on dry land. They watched the Egyptian enemy drown as they pursued them.

The Lord revealed his glory at Mt. Sinai. he gave them his holy commandments that no other nation had, setting them apart from every other nation.

Thunder and lightning was at the Mountain of the Lord. A cloud and a pillar of fire never left them throughout their pilgrimage. Their walk in the wilderness was attended by numerous acts of the greatness of God. Eventually the Lord brought them to the boundaries of the Promised Land. He bid them send out twelve spies into the land. Their report would hopefully e ncourage Israel further to rise and take up the land with gratitude.

All the spies gave a favourable report about the abundance in the land. But alas! Their report was against going forward to occupy the land. The reason for those against was the Anak giants in Palestine! Only two – Caleb and Joshua – were thankful. They saw opportunity where the grumblers saw hindrance. Listen to the selfassessment of the grumblers: “And there we saw the Nephilim (the sons of Anak, who come from the Nephilim), and we seemed to ourselves like grasshoppers, and so we seemed to them.” Nobody told them what they looked like before the Anak. The grumbling spread to the whole population, as complaining always does.

The parent complains and the children learn to be ungrateful. A leader grumbles and people see only what is wrong around them. A student complains and his friends imitate his negative attitude. Someone sang a song entitled, “A thankful heart creates a thankful home.” That is the antidote for ingratitude.

Save yourself from grumbling. Learn to thank God for what you have. Each of us has something to thank God for each day

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Psalms 14,53

Rev Canon Dr John Senyonyi

Vice Chancellor

The most wonderful thing in observable nature, to me, is the human body. I am fascinated each time I sit with a doctor and hear how the profession tries to make sense of our ailments.

Many doctors confess that our knowledge is only a minuscule bit of the untapped knowledge possible. One of the greatest discoveries in recent decades is deoxyribonucleic acid, otherwise abbreviated as DNA.

DNA carries information in a manner unlike anything imaginable, quite superior to the complex computers of our day. Think of the estimated 98.8 percent DNA similarity humans are said to share with chimpanzees. Someone asked, “How can we be so similar and yet so different?”. The answer is that the information in the 1.2 percent far exceeds that contained in the 98.8 percent!

The wonders of nature speak volumes. Paul claims rightly that God’s invisible attributes, namely, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, in the things that have been made. This means that when we see what we see, our hearts get an eureka moment of recognition and exclamation!

We now get a glimpse into why the psalmist says, “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God’.” The fool sees and learns nothing. Yet it is telling that this self-conversation happens in the fool’s heart. True atheism thrives in the heart, not in what one says or does, though indeed these give vent to the heart. Many

profess faith in God; few know the solid confidence of a heart rested in the God who sent His Son to die for us.

Godlessness and wickedness are inseparable. It has been said, “If there is no God, all things are permissible”; we can do as we wish rather than as God commands. This is the next level of practical atheism. A godless foundation builds a corrupt life and an unethical society.

We need not wonder that churched people can live the life of the un-churched! It has been noted in some Western countries that the

rates of divorce for Christians and non-Christians compare favourably! It means the Christianity of many Christians makes no difference in their life. This is practical atheism.

There is an ongoing commission of inquiry into land conflicts in Uganda. I bet the evildoers being exposed identify themselves as religious people. The thievery of public resources in Africa meted out on ordinary citizens is not the work of irreligious people.

The psalmist tells us that in a godless community, justice is perverted; people take advantage of each other, and the weak become fodder for the more powerful. Public officers live for themselves; other people are their fruit trees where they gather produce for their upkeep.

The message here is clear: your life reveals your faith. A Christian may pass for an atheist if his life does not account for God in his heart and life. If Sunday

worship is irrelevant to your Monday through Saturday lifestyle, your Christianity is practical atheism. Jesus warned against calling Him, “Lord, Lord” while failing to obey Him in all of life – both private and public.

If the Church ceases to be salt of the earth and the light of the world, the world becomes tasteless and dark. The Lord pegged all hope of the world on Christians! Is that not an awesome responsibility? We are not at liberty to call for less.

Today, we must be disturbed that Christians think little of and rarely talk about sin. They are active in Church but really have no faith in God. If the rot begins among God’s people, nations are doomed. Societies and nations will lose their sense of goodness because their moral campus, the Church of Christ, has forsaken the God of Israel.

When you hear the word ‘rest’, it can mean going slow, relaxing or taking a break. Panic and anxiety do not solve anything but instead worsen any situation. So, the best you can do is to relax and take it slow.

The Bible encourages us to rest, although many Christians do not heed that advice. Here are five Bible truths about why one should rest.

Rest is livingby faith

It is absurd that faith has been misunderstood to mean that if you do not panic or act in an anxious way, then you are irresponsible. This is the wrong perception. Instead, we should cultivate the art of resting in the Lord.

The fact that one does not panic just shows that they have decided to place their faith in God. And remember, it is only God who is able to do exceedingly, above what one can ever do in one’s human abilities.

It’s not failure

Failure and rest do not have any connection. It is however common for many people to think that the fact that when one is relaxing, then they have completely failed or given up! The truth is that when you take a break, you will rejuvenate your body and mind and fresh ideas will begin to pop up.

Just imagine, if God rested during the time of creation, then why would you think that relaxing is a symbol of failure? It is a way of regaining energy!

Perfect peace

Isaiah 26:3 says that, “You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you ….” The focus here is for us to keep our mind on God.

The more we focus on God, the easier it will be for us to accomplish various tasks.

When you decide to rest, you gain peace. This is evident in Exodus 33:14 when God assures the Israelites about his presence and peace, and of rest in Him.

In God’s perfect love

God is love. He is the perfect definition of love and the easiest way to recognise his love is by trusting in Him and living in His will. A few Christians are of the misconception that God is often angry with them.

Althoughit is true that he judges, at the same time he forgives when one repents.

The fact that He allowed His only Son to die for sinners shows that His love can never be exhausted. Choose to live in God’s will by finding rest in Him.

Cast your cares on God

Whenyou decide to give God all your burdens, you are implying thatHe is able to help you out.

However, when you decide to be anxious, it is one way of telling God that He is not doing enough to get you out of a given situation.

God is not human to forget His promises. Instead of being anxious, and complaining, it is better to cast your burdens on Him, God the beginning and the end.

Psalms 15, Exodus

33:12-16

Rev Canon Dr John Senyonyi Vice Chancellor

When my wife and I married, I soon realised the differences that exist between men and women are extensive! For example, she often wants to be complemented about how she looks before stepping out, while I put no emotional price tag to my appearance.

In the recent past we have lost three public figures: Mr Lawrence Mukiibi and Mr Ivan Semwanga, who had immense wealth, and our former student, Carol Atuhairwe. What is the legacy of each?

The two men apparently cared much about how they looked to the outside world, in death. They gave elaborate instructions about their funerals, making sure to receive flamboyant burials. Sadly, they have left scandal and controversy in their wake! In the public eye, they are a far cry from the picture they tried to portray in their lifetime.

Carol on the other hand attracted the nation with her shining faith. Whoever saw her beautiful smile, which really flowed from her faith, was enchanted by it. That is the way she looked, even in her suffering. She lived larger than this life and we all feel she is gone too soon.

So, which of these three lived a worthwhile life? David poses a question: Who shall sojourn in your tent … (or) dwell on your holy hill? This implicitly suggests the purpose of life, which is to be where God is; for there is no greater honour, no higher destiny. He sees dwelling in God’s presence as an exclusive experience, accessible to those with ‘a peculiar look’! When Israel sinned, God threatened not to go with His chosen people. Instead, He would give them an angel to cause them to inherit the Promised Land. However, Moses cried, “If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here”. He had obvious reasons for this.

God’s presence with us is the only fame that matters! “For how shall it be known that I have found favour in your sight … Is it not in your going with us, so that we are distinct..? Moses asks.

Moses feared losing his communion with the Lord, for God spoke with him “face to face, as a man speaks to his friend”. What a privilege!

All our toil is vain if God is not with us. Moses knew that his failure in leadership was guaranteed without God, and that living apart from God is not worthwhile.

Living in God’s presence is for those with ‘a peculiar look’, the people who order their life for His holy presence. One word summarises our qualification for it: integrity! God’s foremost concern is our character, not our frantic services.

That is why the Bible exhorts us to, “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flows the springs of life.” We must be in secret what we appear to be in public; and it all begins with one’s heart.

Secondly, we need integrity of relationships. I recently heard this characterisation of someone, “I have never seen someone so difficult.”

Our relationships matter to God, and how we relate affects our prayers to Him. So, if a husband mistreats his wife, his prayers are futile. What is the state of your relationships?

Thirdly, we need integrity in the promises we make. Some Christians have a habit of promising to please; they speak to sound spiritual and caring. “I will be there for you. I will pray for you. I will …!”

Marriage vows are among the most serious promises we make and yet there is growing flippancy and apathy among young marrieds. Often this flows from their casual premarital relationships. But remember, God hates divorce. If we do not honour our marital vows or any other promise we make, we offer “the sacrifice of fools” promising what we do not mean.

Finally, we need integrity in our financial dealings. The things that have stumbled great men, including preachers, are: girls, glory and gold! Modern culture downplays promiscuity and dignifies self-glory but the consequences remain.

In particular, few can resist the allure of money. When relationships are based on financial gain, we take advantage of others and selfish gain takes centre stage. Money tempts us to want more, and the more we get the more we become hungry.

Who shall dwell on your Holy Hill? If you would live in God’s presence, I commend to you a life of integrity in all these areas. That is a worthwhile life; something that a flashy funeral cannot provide.

Early this month Vilma Achieng was voted the Most Valuable Player (MVP) for the National Basketball League playoffs after leading her side to winning the title.
She also won the best rebounder, top scorer and best centre in the Zone V Club championship where the team won bronze.
Achieng was born on 23, 1993, in Siayi County, western Kenya, to the late Joseph Owino and Rose Akinyi.
She went to Wera Primary School from 1998 to 2007 before joining Raliew Secondary School for her O-level from 2008-2011.
She previously played volleyball and football before she decided to concentrate on basketball.

Joining Lady Canons
Uganda Christian University (UCU) administration, with the help of an old friend and former Canons player, Robert Mugabe, advised her to join the Lady Canons despite her having wished to play aboard. She accepted the offer.
“While on the team, I began improving as a player each day and built a lot of personal confidence,” she said of her acceptance.

Awards
In 2015, Achieng was named the MVP in that season’s National Basketball League. After consulting teammates, Coach Nicholas Natuhereza made her captain.
In 2014, she had also been voted the league’s top scorer and best rebounder. under her leadership, Lady Canons have managed to win the championship for three years in a
row (2015-2017).
Emmanuel Kiguyi, the Lady Canons tactician, says Achieng is an amazingly gifted
sportsperson who has grown as a player and leader in the past few seasons.
“I think she has finally become comfortable and confident in her role as a team leader and I am confident there is more to come from her,” he says.
on any given night, he says, she is capable of being the most dominant force in Uganda women basketball if she puts her mind to it and this is the next challenge she has to take on.
She was impressed for having won the MVP but is now focusing on the new challenge ahead, she said, when contacted.

Academics and sports
She says advanced preparations help her to balance the two.
Despite having many other achievements, Achieng who is on a full sports scholarship plans to play professional basketball outside the region.
She is a student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in education.